Editorials

Crash in Washington County sends two men to hospital after pursuit

Truck stolen at gunpoint

Two Denver men were hospitalized Monday following a carjacking and pursuit that ended in a crash in Washington County, the Colorado State Patrol has reported.

The driver of the allegedly stolen vehicle, James Gonzales, 26, and Michael Martinez, 28, were transported to the Yuma Hospital before being flown to Swedish Hospital in Denver, Trooper Nate Reid of the patrol said. Both had serious injuries.

The patrol is currently working in conjunction with the Washington County Sherriff's Office on the investigation.

The patrol was notified of the crash, which occurred on Highway 34 near Washington County Road Q, at 12:55 p.m.

Gonzales and Martinez escaped that wreck uninjured, Reid said.

When a passerby stopped to offer assistance, the immediately pulled a handgun on him and took his Nissan pickup truck, the trooper said.

Washington County sheriff's deputies observed the Nissan as they were responding to the crash scene, Reid said, and turned around and attempted to stop it using their emergency lights and sirens.

The truck failed to stop for the deputies, Reid said, and they began to pursue it.

At 1:02 p.m. the patrol joined the pursuit.

During the pursuit several shots were fired from the truck toward the pursuing police vehicles, Reid said. Officers did not return fire.

The pursuit continued through the towns of Akron, Otis and Yuma.

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At 1:19 p.m. the truck was forced off the road and eventually stopped by Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), Reid said. The TVI caused the vehicle to roll ejecting the passenger and trapping the driver inside the Nissan, he added.

The patrol and Washington County sheriff's office were assisted by Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma Police Department and Wray Police Department.

Criminal charges are pending and will be filed through the District Attorney's office of the 13th Judicial District upon completion of the investigations.

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